Portable leveling apparatus for mounted machinery



Apr. 3, 1923.

w. H. WYLIE PORTABLE LEVELING APPARATUS FOR MOUNTED MACHINERY .'5sheets-sheet l Filed Nov. '7, 1 922 MN .(J n Q NM. wmv www n Y wmmh nur5% Q l @A wh @N p @T RQ ,NN W NNW @Q @n l www xn nh Nh Apr. 3, 1923.

W. H` WYLlE PORTABLE LEVFLING` APPARATUS FOR MOUNTED MACHINERY 3sheetssheet 2 Filed Nov. '7, 1922 W. H. WYLIE PORTABLE LEVELINGAPPARATUS FOR MOUNTED MACHINERY 7, 1922 5 sheets-sheet 5 Filed Nov.

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Patented pr. 3, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATEr,oFFlc1-;.`

WILLIAM HENRY WYIJIE, 0Fk JENNINGS, KANSAS.

PORTAIQLE LEVELING APPARATUS FOR MOUNTED MACHINERY.

Application led November 7, 1922. Serial No. 599,548.4

ratus for carrying portable farming implements, such as threshingmachines and the like; such implements being intended to be operatedwhile-on the leveling apparatus. The main object of the invention is tofurnish an apparatus of this class, by means of which the implement,carried thereby, may be leveled, independent of the sloping of theground, in order to'insure the proper functioning of the implement.

lIn the following, the apparatus has been described in connection with athreshing machine, but the right is reserved for using the apparatuswith any other kind of implements, that arerequired to be set level inOperation and are intended for use in the field or elsewhere.

Thisl leveling apparatus is constructed like a truck or wagon, withfront and rear axles and a separate frame or platform for each of theseaxles. These frames are,pref erably, of the same len th and width andwill accordingly meet ha f way between the twoaxles, and said frames arejoined together by means of connecting bars, journaled approximatelymid-way 'between the ends of each frame. These connecting bars carry atransverse shaft with wings engaged in the adjacent ends of the twoframes in such a manner, that, when this sha-ft is turned in onedirection, the wings will raise the front end of the rear frame andsimultaneously lower the rear end of the front frame. This isaccomplished by means of a suitable gearing operated from a hand wheelat the forward end of the front frame.

The rotation of the frames on their axles is such that, not onlylongitudinal oscillation is possible, of each frame on its axle, butalso tilting sideways of the frames on their axles, may be effected.This is accomplished by means of another hand wheel with suitablegearing, and connected with a second transverse shaft, near the rea-raxle, which shaft, when revolved by the hand wheel, winds o-r unwindschains attached to the rear axle,'in such a manner, that the rear fra-mewill be drawn down on one side andl raised on the other side.`

In this manner it will be possible fto oscillate the two frames byturning the iirst hand wheel. VVit-h the front wheels, for instance,

situated higher than the rear wheels, the

front frame will be at a higher vlevel than the .rear frame. By usingthe second hand wheel, both frames may be tilted together in atransverse direction of the apparatus,

and by using both hand wheels,it.will nowy be clearly understood, thatthe frames may be leveled, no matter ground slopes. f

Tnthe accompanying drawings, one embodiment of the invention isillustrated, and

Figure l shows aside elevation of the apparatus carrying the threshingmachine and placed on sloping groundk with its Ifront wheels higher thanits rear wheels.`

Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1.

W n lgure 3 1s a transverse section on a larger sca-le along line 3 3 ofFigure 2. K

Figure t is a fragmentary side elevation ofthe frames, shown onta largerscale, and

Figure 5 line 5`5 of Figures 2 and 3.

The apparatus consists of three main parts, namely a front frame 10, arear frame 11, and connecting bars 12. Each ofy the frames is,preferably, constructed of'structural iron such as channel oranglebarsor the like, suitably braced and each connected with their axles to beable to turn in longitudinal and transverse direction thereon. The frontframe has, for this reason, a universal joint 13, secured in the middleof the front axle 14, this joint permitting tilting both in longitudinaland transverse directions of the frame, as well as turning in ahorizontal direction with regard thereto. At is shown a draw-baror'tongue, by which the apparatus may be propelled from a tractor' or'drawn by horse 1 The front frame l() terminates. at its rear end withspaced fingers '16, forming a slot 17 with parallelsides, the use ofwhich will be described further on. v

The rear frame 11 is of the same construction and is secured on the rearaxle 18by means of a bracket 19, rigidly-held by bolts 20. This bracket19 has an upwardly directed arm 21, in which a pintle 22 is carried,permitting side tilting of the beam 23, forming part of the frame 11. Itwill thus be seen that the rear frame can obtain 'its in what directionthe is a fragmentary section along tilting from side to side around theaxis of the pintle 22, while it may oscillate in longitudi'nal directionof the apparatus around the axis of the rear axle 18, turning in therear wheels 24. The rear frame is also provided with fingers 25, formingbet-ween them a slot 26 with parallel sides. It should here be notedthat the distance from the rear axle to the forward end of the fingers25, is exactly the same as the corresponding distance to the rear end ofthe fingers 16 from the front axle 14.

The front and rear frames are connected by means of the side bars 12,one on each side of the frames. These bars have their ends journaled asat 28 and 29, on the front and rear frames respectively. The journaledpoints 28 and 29 are so situated that the distance from the ends offingers 16 to the journal point 28 is the same as the distance betweenthe ends of fingers 25 and the journal point 29 0n the rear frame. Thelength of each frame, measured from its wheel axle to the ends of itsfingers, is exactly the same in both frames.

Reference numeral 30 represents a shaft running transversely to theapparatus and revolvably mounted in the said bars 12, at a medial pointbetween the journals 28 and 29. It should be noted by referring toFigure 2, that the ends of the ngers 16 are placed sufficiently far fromthe ends of fingers 25, to clear the shaft 30. A pair of wings 31 arecarried near each end of the transverse shaft 30 and rigidly attachedthereto,so as to partake in the turning movement of the shaft. Thesewings stand, normally, in a horizontal position, see Figure 4, when thefront and rear frames are in alinement. Each wing terminates with ashort journal 32 engaging in one of the slots 17 or 26, formed betweenthe fingers 16 and 25, respectively, as seen in Figures 1, 2. and 4; thewings 31 are of the same length.y so that they will communicate the sameangular oscillation to the front and rear frames around their respectivewheel axles, when the transverse shaft 30 is turned in either direction.It will, accordingly, be clear, particularly by referring to Figure 4,that, when the wings 31 are turned out of their horizontal position, asindicated by full lines in this figure, with, for instance, thcforwardly directed wings 31 turned upwardly in the position shown at A;the fingers of the front frame will be raised above the axis of thetransverseshaft 30 the same amount as the fingers on the rear frame 11will be lowered, and that, consequently, the frames will remain parallelwhatever angular' position the Wings take. With the forward Wings 31turned down as indicated at B in Figure 4, the front frame 10 will thenbe lowered and the rear fra-me 11 raised. In

f order not to exceed -a suitable oscillation of the frames, arcuatearms or horns 33 are provided for each frame, rigidly secured thereto,as at 34. These horns extend above and below each frame the same amountand terminate with suitable ledges adapted to engage the top and bottomedges of the connecting bars 12, in this manner limiting the permissiblemovement up and down of the ends of the frames.

At one end of the shaft 30 is secured a worm gear 36 meshing with theworm 37 carried in suitable bearings 38 on one of the connecting bars12. This worm is secured on an operating rod 39, which runs forwardlyfrom the worm and is supported at its f0r ward end in a. standard 40,provided at the forward end of the front frame 10. The rod 39 is mountedtherein in such a manner that axial displacement as well as side os-Vcillation may take place when the rod 39 is turned, by means of theoperating Wheel 41, secured at its extreme end.

The hand wheel 41 is placed in a suitable position to be reached by theoperator of the apparatus and a seat 42 as well as a foot rest 43, ispreferably furnished for him. t 44 is shown a small bracket carrying apair of levels, one for observing the angular position of the platformin longitudinal direction and another level for observing,r its positionin transverse direction. rllhe seat is preferably turned slightly roundto one side for easy reach of the hand wheel 41 by the operator.

Reference numeral 45 represents a yoke of the width of the rear frameand of a height sufficient to permit installation of a threshing machine46 to be placed under it and secured to the rear frame, see Figure 3.This yoke 45 carries,atitsupperend, a transverse shaft 47 revolvablymounted there in. The ends of this shaft extend beyond the upright sidesof the yoke 45 and each carries a. chain or a wire rope 48 securelyfastened thereto, see Figure 3, and wound a few times around therespective ends of shaft 47, one chain in right hand direction and theother chain in left hand direction. The lower ends of each chain 48 issecured to an arm 49 journaled on the end of the wheel axle 18. At 50 isshown a. worm wheel rigidly attached to the transverse shaft 47, meshingwith the worm 51, carried in a suitable bearing 52, secured on the yokeThis worm 51 is mounted at the end of an operating rod 53, which extendsto the forward end of the apparatus and is carried iu a bearing in thestandard 40, in the same manner as fully described in connection withthe operating rodl 39. This second operating rod 53 extends beyond thestandard and carries an operating hand wheel 54 at its extreme end. Byturning the hand wheel 54, the worm 51 will be revolved to actuate theworm-wheel 50, which thereupon turns the ltransverse shaft 47 andunwinds one and winds up .the other of the chains 48, sothat in thismanner Lthe yoke 45 together with the 'rear framel 1l, will be tilted inthe direction `of the taut chain '48.

vThis tilting is communicated to the front frame l0 through theintermediary of the connecting bars 12-and the 'shaft 30, with its wings31.

At 55, see Figure 1, Ais indicated a motor for driving the threshingmachine 36.` The .motor 55 carries a pulley 56 which connects with thecorresponding pulley 57 on the threshing machine through theintermediary of a belt 58. The distance between the J the journal 29andthe pulley 57. In this the front frame to be in level position. AAs

manner the length of the belts 58 or distance between'the two axes at 56land 57 will remain the same as the distance between the journals 28 and29, independent of what angular position the front and rear fra-mestake. Y

The use kof the apparatus is as follows Supposing that the threshingmachine is running up on .the slope of a hill and that the shock that'isgoing to be' threshedis approached by the leveling apparatus, in anapproximately straight line vfrom the bottom ofthe hill. the apparatusis then positioned conveniently near the shock, having .the frontwheelshighezr than the rear wheels. It will now be evident, that thethreshing machine does `not stand level, but inclined, approximatelythesame amount as the slope of the hill. In order now to give the threshingmachine a level position` it will be necesf sary to lower thevforwardend and raise the rear end of the rear frame. This is accomplished byturning theoperating wheel 41 until the longitudinal level at 44 showsboth frames, for the reason already given, are lbound to move the sameangular amount,

the rear frame will accordingly also standin a horizontal posi-tion. thethreshing machine 46.

Should the 'leveling apparatus, on the other hand, approach the shocksideways on the hill, that is to say, if Jfor instance, the right sideofthe apparatus stands higher than the left side, then the operatingwheel 54 is turned until the levelat 44 shows the front frame 10 Iinlevel position.- As both thereby leveling front and rear frames 10 and11 tilt together. in transverse direction` the threshing machine 46 willnow have taken up a horizontal position with the frames.

Should, again, not only the front wheels be situated higher than therear wheels but one' side of the apparatus be higher than the other,then, both vturned vuntil the hand wheels 4l Aand 54are y longitudinalas well asthe transverse levels at 44 show the yframes to standhorizontally, when, again,v the threshing machine ywill take up a levelposition, which is most advantageous for its operation.

It may here be notedpthat the length of therear frame behind therearaxle and the length of the front frame beyond the front axle may vary tosuit conditions. [The distancev from the front axle to the journal 28should, however, be the same as the distance from the rear axle tothejournal V29; furthermore, the length of the front` frame in rear of thefront axle should b e-the same as the length of the rear frame infront-ofthe rear axle; vfurthermore, the transverse Ashaft be carriedonthe front frame 10.l

Iclaim: j .y Y,

l.' A leveling apparatus of the-class described comprising a frontframel havingfa front axle and a rearframe'having arear axle,each'jframe being mountedto oscillate on its respective axle; connectingmembers for said frames, said members being jour- 'naled at their endsin the respective frames,

and means carried by said members forv altering the relative position ofsaid frames.

2. A leveling apparatus of the class vde-V i scribed comprising a frontframe 'havingfa front axle and a `rear frame having'a rear axle, eachframe beingmounted to oscillate on its respective axle; connectingmembers vfor said frames. said membershaving journalsV at their endsmounted in the respective frames,` and means, carried by said membersfor altering vthe angular position y ofr said ramesysaid journals beingsituatedon the front frameat thesame distancebackv from the front axleas the journals on the rear frame from therear axle. f 3. A Alevelingapparatus of the class 'de-. scribed comprising a -frontframehavingjafront axle and a rear frame havingja rear axle, each frame beingmounted to oscillate Aon its respective axle; connecting members soV `30must be placed midway between the ,two

for said frames, said members having jour# nals at their ends mounted inthe respective frames, and means, carried by said members for alteringthe angular position of said frames; said ournals being situated on thefront frame at the same distance back from vthe front axle as thejournals on the rear frame from the rear axle ;l said means including atransverse shaft revolvably mounted in said members medially thereof anda suitable connection between said shaft and the respective adjacentends of said frames.

4e. A leveling apparatus of the class described comprising a front framehaving a ,front axle and a 'rear frame having a rear axle` each framebeing mounted to oscillate on its respective axle; connecting membersfor said frames, said members having journals at their ends mounted inthe respective frames, and means, carried by said members for alteringthe angular position of said frames. said journals being situated on thefront frame at the same distance back from the front axle as thejournals on the rear frame from the rearaxle; said means including atransverse shaft revolvab-ly mounted in said members, medi-ally thereofand wings on said transverse shaft connecting respectively with theadjacent ends of said front and rear frames.

5. A leveling apparatus ofl the class described comprising a front framehaving a front axle and a rear framevhaving a rear axle, each framebeing mounted to oscillate on its respective axle; connecting `membersfor said frames, said members having journals at their ends mounted inthe respective frames, means, carried by said members, for altering theangular position of said frames, said journals being situated on thefront frame at the same distance back from the front axle as thejournals on the rear frame from the rear axle; said means including atransverse shaft revolvably mounted in said members medially thereof,and wings on said transverse shaft connecting respectively with theadjacent ends of said front and rear frames. and having slidableconnection therewith.

6. A leveling apparatus of the class described comprising a frontframehaving a front axle and a rear frame having a rear axle.l each frameAbeing mounted to oscillate on its respective axle; connecting membersfor said frames. said members having journals at their ends mounted inthe respective frames; means. carried by said members for y altering theangular position of. said fra-mes,

said journals being situated on the 'front frame at the same distanceback from the front yaxle as the journals on the rear frame from therear axle. said means including a transverseshaft revolvably mounted insaid members medially thereof` Wings on said transverse shaft connectingrespectively with the adjacent ends of said front and rear frames,having suitable connections therewith; and suitable gearing foractuating said transverse shaft.

7. A leveling apparatus of the class de* scribed comprising a framehaving a front axle and a rear axle, said frame being mounted tooscillate upon said axles in transverse direction of the apparatus;means for altering the angular position with regard to the axles, saidmeans including a yoke erected upon said frame; a transverse shaft,revolv# ably mounted in said yoke, and a chain con-4 nection betweeneach of the ends of said shaft and the adjacent ends of one of saidaxles, said chains being wound in opposite direction upon the respectiveends of said shaft.

8, A leveling apparatus of the class described comprising a frame havinga front axle and a rear axlehsaid frame being mounted to oscillate uponsaid axles in transverse direction of the apparatus; means for alteringthe angular position with regard to the axles.y said means including ayoke erected upon said frame, a transverse shaft, revolvably mounted insaid yoke a chain connection between each of the ends of said shaft andthe adjacent ends of one of said axles, said chains being wound inopposite direction upon the respective ends of said shaft: and asuitable gearing for turning said shaft.

9. A leveling apparatus of the class described comprising a front framehaving a front axle and a rear frame having a rear axle. -said framesbeing mounted to oscillate longitudinally and transversely on theirrespective axles: connecting members for said frames. being journaled attheir ends in the respective frames; means, carried by said members foraltering the relative position of said frames in longitudinal directionof the apparatus; and other means for changing the angular position ofthe frames in transverse direction 'of said apparatus.

,10. A leveling apparatus of the class described comprising a frontframe having a front axle and a rear frame having a rear axle. saidframes being mounted to oscillate longitudinally and transversely ontheir respective axles: connecting members for said frames. beingjournaled at their ends in the respective frames; means, carried b vsaidA members for altering the relative positionof said frames inlongitudinal direction of the apparatus; and other means for changingthe angular position of the frames in transverse direction ofsaidapparatus` one of said frames being adapted to carry.a vfarmingimplement.

In testimony whereof I aix myl signature.

WllLlAM HENRY WYLlE. [L S.]

